AND so, at the first sign of defeat, the strongman Donald Trump opts for desperation. The "America-first" president intentionally sets his country on the path to chaos and violence ('Trump claim 'outrageous'', Newcastle Herald 5/11). No grace, no courage, no integrity, no principles. His apologists here and elsewhere don't seem to care, which in my opinion must surely place them in pretty much the same boat.
Let's not dignify the newly fashioned term "Trumpism" with any meaning other than ruthless immorality.
Michael Hinchey, New Lambton
Stockton woes date back decades
AS a distraction from the circus in the USA, I was drawn to David Dial's wonderful effort ('The Hunter remembers World War II', Herald 4/11) and his mention of Stockton Beach in 1945. It appears heavy seas had completely covered the wartime anti-tank dragon's teeth and much washed up timber debris with almost four metres of sand. David's article stated that Alderman Soper had remarked at the time: "The beach has never been better. The debris and tank traps covered by the sand may help to hold the beach together and slow up further erosion." It seems that was a bit ambitious.
Tony Winton, Wallsend
Private sector is fighting on too
I CAN understand the NSW Public Service Union fighting to maximise their members' wages, that is their job. However, I ask everyone to spare a thought for those in the private sector, especially small business.
Many small business owners have seen their revenues drastically reduced or disappear altogether. They do not enjoy the guaranteed safety net of a regular wage, regardless of the economic conditions. They do not enjoy holiday pay, long service leave, maternity leave, etc. Thankfully JobKeeper has kept many afloat, but this is only a short term fix. Many businesses face a very uncertain future.
Most small operators use the equity in their homes to fund their business or to guarantee the debt of their business. The stress and worry of losing one's house is real and very disturbing during these tough times. Many workers in the private sector are facing flat wages and many are taking pay cuts, losing hours and even losing their jobs.
If Australians are all in this together, maybe in the short term we should all share the pain. After all, no one is asking the public service to take a pay cut; it is a reduction of an increase
John Jenkins, Merewether
Response doesn't rate in spending
THE Reserve Bank has again cut interest rates in the hope it will stimulate the economy and get people spending more. It will of course assist those who have a mortgage, although if they are smart they will just keep paying the same amount off their loan and reduce their mortgage sooner, so expect no extra spending from them.
Thousands of retirees on a fixed income will be hit very hard as their bank interest is already very low, so definitely no extra spending from them. The Reserve Bank keeps on reducing interest rates and it seems to have no effect on spending and the economy. Maybe soon they will realise that they need a different plan.
Jim Gardiner, New Lambton
Costs of going to work add up
I HAVE always found chivalry charming, but that becomes redundant in a world of equality. I observed a young lady who was excited that she has obtained full-time employment. However her husband had to take time off work to clean and maintain their home. This could be obviated by employing a house cleaner and a childminder. The government must be cheering. Whereas they were getting only the husband's taxes, they now get the wife, the cleaner and the babysitter's taxes.
I wonder about the net income the wife earns minus the costs of transport, special clothes, etc. to go to work and the cost of the babysitter and cleaner. Or alternately the lost income of the husband to do housekeeping.
Now her home and children are being taken care of by professionals and she is equal to her husband. Eventually these young people must cease work and enjoy their retirement, or will they?
George Paris, Rathmines
Balance on booze must be goal
WHILE I think it's a great idea for the Herald to print opposing ideas in the letters page to show different points of view and therefore be balanced, I find it difficult when people will not put their name to an opinion as published in Tuesday's paper (Letters, 3/11) in regard to inner city living and perceived nightlife issues.
I completely understand everyone's right to an opinion, as well as wanting to avoid any negative feedback. In this particular letter there were comments made in regard to streets being awash with urine and vomit as well as references being made to vandalism and public nuisance.
Let me just say I am probably of an age of some of these inner city residents but where I differ is I do get out and about at night time because I enjoy live music and a few beverages sometimes at a later time than a person my age should be out.
I am yet to encounter any of the instances stated in the anonymous letter. I was walking from the Wicko to the Kent a few weeks ago and noticed a rowdy group of youngsters lined up to get into the Sydney Junction Hotel. They were well behaved and just having a good time with their friends waiting to gain entry. All the while they were being observed by the police at the start of the line to make sure the venue was adhering to the rules. Isn't this what relaxing the inner city regulations is all about? Proper policing so there is a balance between revellers and residents. No rivers of vomit and urine here.
Tony Morley, Waratah
Loudest voices can't carry further
JAKE Fly (Letters, 2/11) I don't know how far the rights of home owners in town extend either, but it definitely seems that often only takes one noise complaint from one person to force a pub or club to change the way they do business.
I agree that the community should decide what happens within the community, including all members of the community, and more than say, "about ten people" ('Residents sound a warning', Herald 28/10) attending a meeting to decide the fate of a venue attended by hundreds, if not thousands, of people. With hundreds of people living in the city, I would like to see a fair system implemented where absolutely everyone's voice is heard on such matters. I have no reason to believe that such a system is currently in place, however. After all, a proposal to have the former Newcastle Station regularly host live music never got off the ground after nearby residents objected to it. When I made an inquiry about how many residents said no to the proposal, I was told less than 20.
Adz Carter, Newcastle
SHARE YOUR OPINION
Email letters@newcastleherald.com.au or send a text message to 0427 154 176 (include name and suburb). Letters should be fewer than 200 words. Short Takes should be fewer than 50 words. Correspondence may be edited and reproduced in any form.
SHORT TAKES
I'M having my say on this constant issue with Nelson Bay upgrade ('New fork in road plan', Newcastle Herald 3/11). I have travelled from the bay to Newcastle for 22 years and we need this upgrade now. The best option is the third one, the whole new 11-kilometre road, which will improve travel times and benefit residents that live along the existing road. This needs to happen.
Matthew Mikhael, Salamander Bay
SARAH Taylor (Letters, 3/11), the percentage of voters in favour of assisted dying varies depending on how you frame the question. Nobody wants unbearable suffering. Palliative Care Australia says that good, well-resourced palliative care gives people the ability to die well, "free from pain, in the place of their choice, with people they wish to be present, and above all, with dignity." Doesn't Ms Taylor's right to die means someone else's duty to kill, or at least to assist, and how does that square with suicide prevention? Citing Belgium and Switzerland, Ms Taylor dismisses concerns about a "slippery slope". Yet Belgium became the first country in the world to allow child euthanasia with no age restriction in 2014. The Lancet in 2019 reported steadily increasing rates of euthanasia and assisted suicide in both these countries.
Peter Dolan, Lambton
PAUL Sutcliffe (Short Takes, 3/11) wrote "let's hope and pray they (USA) do not choose the psychopath" in this election ('Presidential race could end in court as Trump talks up fraud', Herald 4/11). Well, I am not sure which of the candidates he was referring to. In the case of Donald Trump, he has launched no foreign wars during his term, as he promised he would not in 2016, and has in fact withdrawn troops home unlike every other US president in the last 40 years. But in the case of Joe Biden, I well remember that ghoulish scene of Joe Biden, Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton and other administration members huddled around a TV screen watching in real time the murder of Osama bin Laden in May 2011 at the hands of US Navy Seals. I know who looks like the psychopath to me.
John Davies, Newcastle East
I MUST agree with Kevin Coffey (Letters, 31/10) about Newcastle Independents' Kath Elliott regarding derogatory comments from Labor Cr Byrne and his Labour counterparts on her actions in October last year ('Elliott censured for leaking', Herald 29/10). In my opinion it is Labour that often refuse to fully disclose costs to the community, which is totally unacceptable. I'm sure Cr Elliott's actions will only enhance Novocastrians' confidence in someone who understands the need for complete transparency in all council's financial dealings.
Peter Mullins, Rankin Park
DONALD Trump versus Joe Biden ('Uncertain states of America', Herald 5/11). Talk about a circus. As yet, we've seen no ringmaster, or acrobats, but we've certainly seen two clowns
David Davies, Blackalls Park
THE POLL
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